Auto-detection of devices on a multi-wire irrigation control system and auto-assignment of receivers to irrigation zones

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to use with irrigation devices connected to a multi-wire path in an irrigation system. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for use with irrigation devices including a modulator configured to provide an output power signal modulated with data; a multi-wire interface coupled to the modulator and configured to electrically couple to the multi-wire path extending into a landscape and to which the irrigation devices are connected; and a control circuit configured to execute an automated device discovery process configured to cause the modulator to modulate data comprising a discovery message on the output power signal, the discovery message indicating a portion of an address to match and prompting a response from one or more of the irrigation devices in which a corresponding portion of the unique address matches the portion of the address to match.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/188,997 filed May 14, 2021, entitled AUTO-DETECTION OF DEVICES ON AMULTI-WIRE IRRIGATION CONTROL SYSTEM AND AUTO-ASSIGNMENT OF RECEIVERS TOIRRIGATION ZONES (Attorney Docket No. 8473-152222-US), which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to irrigation control systems usingmulti-wire control paths, and more specifically, to irrigation devicesconnected to the multi-wire control paths.

BACKGROUND

Generally, decoder-based irrigation systems use a two-wire path (asingle pair of wires) extending into a landscape to interface a largenumber of solenoids to a controller using less wiring relative to adiscrete wire path to each solenoid. A controller or interface unitoutputs a modulated power signal on the two-wire path to power andcontrol the devices connected to the two-wire path. Decoders connect tothe two-wire path at various locations in parallel to each other.Decoders derive their operational power from the modulated power signaland decode to data modulated on the power signal to receive commands andmessages. Each decoder has a unique device address that can be addressedso that multiple decoders can be controlled on the “party-line” two-wirepath. These unique addresses are often printed on labels of the decodersas a series of numbers and/or represented as printed bar codes. Thecontroller or interface unit addresses individual decoders by theirunique address to be able to individually control a given solenoidconnected to a decoder. Typical decoder-based systems have tens orhundreds of decoders connected to the two-wire path with digitaladdresses ranging into the tens of thousands or even higher. In order toaddress and control these decoders, the unique addresses of theconnected decoders need to be programmed or entered into the controller,and stored in a lookup table. Decoder addresses are often written ortyped on a listing by an installer and then manually entered in thecontroller. For example, using the user interface of the controller(buttons, dials, display screen) or using the user interface of acomputer (keyboard, mouse, monitor) or other device if the irrigationcontroller is implemented on a computer. The manual process of addressentry is time consuming and error prone. Addresses may also be read frombar codes by an optical reader and then transferred to the controller.Such optical reading is likewise time consuming since a reader must bebrought to the decoders or the decoders are brought to the scannerbefore installation. Additionally, since decoders are frequently buriedunderground after installation, there are times that a decoder needs tobe dug up to verify a digital address if an error occurs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, apparatuses and methodspertaining to automatic detection of irrigation devices connected to amulti-wire path irrigation system and/or automatic assignment ofirrigation devices to irrigation zones. This description includesdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary centralcontrol-based irrigation system in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary irrigationcontroller-based irrigation system in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3A illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplaryirrigation system including an irrigation control unit with an encoderin accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3B illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplaryirrigation system including an irrigation control unit with an encoderin accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary output power signalmodulated with data by encoding each cycle of the power signal with oneof two frequencies to represent a data bit in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary data packet format of a message encoded in anoutput power signal of an exemplary irrigation control unit inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows exemplary codeword fields of an encoded output power signalin accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary discovery message format in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary explanatory table of feedback slot assignmentin accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary process for automatic discovery ofaddresses of irrigation devices in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary process for automatic discovery ofaddresses of irrigation devices in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 11A-11C show flow diagrams of an exemplary process of automaticdiscovery of addresses of irrigation devices in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 12A-12B illustrate an exemplary automatic discovery of addresses ofirrigation devices in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary process of automaticdiscovery of addresses in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary pseudo code search algorithm for searchingand detecting irrigation devices in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 15A-15B show an illustrative non-limiting example of the messageformat of FIG. 7 and exemplary process for automatic discovery ofaddresses of irrigation devices of FIG. 8, respectively, in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 16 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary decoderthat would couple to a multi-wire path in accordance with someembodiments; and

FIG. 17 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary encoderof an irrigation control unit using an H-bridge in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 18A shows an example user interface of an irrigation control unitin accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 18B illustrates an exemplary process of automatic assignment ofirrigation devices to station or zone numbers in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 19 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary process of automaticassignment of irrigation devices in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary process of swapping zone numberassignments between irrigation devices and/or addresses in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary process of locking a set of zone numberassignments with a set of irrigation devices in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary system for use in implementing methods,techniques, devices, apparatuses, systems, servers, sources andproviding control over irrigation, in accordance with some embodiments.

Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity andhave not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensionsand/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures maybe exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improveunderstanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also,common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in acommercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order tofacilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of thepresent invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described ordepicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in theart will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence isnot actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have theordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressionsby persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above exceptwhere different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of describing the general principles ofexemplary embodiments. The scope of the invention should be determinedwith reference to the claims. Reference throughout this specification to“one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments”, “animplementation”, “some implementations”, “some applications”, or similarlanguage means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “in some embodiments”, “in someimplementations”, and similar language throughout this specificationmay, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems,apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for automaticdetection of irrigation devices connected to a multi-wire pathirrigation system and/or for automatic assignment of irrigation devicesto irrigation zones. In some embodiments, an irrigation control unit foruse with irrigation devices connected to a multi-wire path in anirrigation system includes a modulator that provides an output powersignal modulated with data. The irrigation control unit includes amulti-wire interface coupled to the modulator and configured toelectrically couple to the multi-wire path extending into a landscapeand to which the irrigation devices are connected. Each irrigationdevice has a unique address. Moreover, each irrigation device may deriveoperational power from an output power signal and demodulate themodulated data in the output power signal. The irrigation control unitfurther includes a control circuit coupled to the modulator. The controlcircuit may execute an automated device discovery process that causes amodulator to modulate data including a discovery message on the outputpower signal. The discovery message indicates a portion of an address tomatch and prompts a response from one or more of irrigation devices inwhich a corresponding portion of the unique address matches the portionof the address to match.

In some embodiments, an irrigation control unit for use with irrigationdevices connected to a multi-wire path in an irrigation system includinga modulator that provides an output power signal modulated with data.The irrigation control unit includes a multi-wire interface coupled tothe modulator and is configured to electrically couple to the multi-wirepath extending into a landscape and to which the irrigation devices areconnected. The irrigation devices each having a unique address andderives operational power from the output power signal and demodulatesthe data. The irrigation control unit includes a control circuit coupledto the modulator and executes an automated device discovery process. Theautomated device discovery process may cause the modulator to modulatedata including iterations of discovery messages on the output powersignal. In some embodiments, each discovery message indicates arespective portion of an address to match and prompts a response fromone or more of the irrigation devices in which a corresponding portionof the unique address matches the respective portion of the address tomatch. In some embodiments, the responses to each iteration of thediscovery message result in a modification of the respective portion ofthe address to match for subsequent discovery messages.

In some embodiments, a method for use with irrigation devices connectedto a multi-wire path in an irrigation system includes providing, by amodulator of an irrigation control unit of the irrigation system, anoutput power signal modulated with data. The method may includeexecuting, by a control circuit of the irrigation control unit, anautomated device discovery process to cause the modulator to modulatedata including a discovery message on the output power signal. Thediscovery message may indicate a portion of an address to match andprompt a response from one or more of the irrigation devices in which acorresponding portion of the unique address matches the portion of theaddress to match. The method may include providing, by the controlcircuit via a multi-wire interface, the modulated data over themulti-wire path that extends into a landscape and to which theirrigation devices are connected. Each irrigation device has a uniqueaddress and derives operational power from the output power signal anddemodulates the data.

In some embodiments, an irrigation control unit for use with irrigationdevices connected to a multi-wire path in an irrigation system includesa control circuit and an application including computer program codeconfigured to be executed by the control circuit to perform steps. Thesteps include obtaining a listing of unique addresses not alreadyassigned to irrigation zones. Each unique address may correspond to arespective one of the irrigation devices. The irrigation devices may beconnected to a multi-wire path of an irrigation system. The steps mayinclude assigning each unique address of the listing of unique addressessequentially to available irrigation zones.

In some embodiments, a method for use with irrigation devices connectedto a multi-wire path in an irrigation system includes executing, by acontrol circuit of an irrigation control unit of the irrigation system,a computer program code of an application to perform steps includingobtaining a listing of unique addresses not already assigned toirrigation zones. Each unique address can correspond to a respective oneof the irrigation devices The irrigation devices can be connected to amulti-wire path of an irrigation system. The method includes assigningeach unique address of the listing of unique addresses sequentially toavailable irrigation zones.

The description provides various descriptions and examples for automaticdetection of irrigation devices connected to a multi-wire pathirrigation system and/or for automatic assignment of irrigation devicesto irrigation zones. Initially, supporting details and descriptions ofvarious decoder-based irrigation systems are described with reference toFIGS. 1-6. Various embodiments of automatic detection of irrigationdevices connected to a multi-wire path irrigation system are describedwith reference to FIGS. 7-17. And various embodiments of automaticassignment of irrigation devices to irrigation zones are described withreference to FIGS. 18A-21.

In FIG. 1, a simplified block diagram of an exemplary centralcontrol-based irrigation system 100 is shown. By one approach, a centralcontrol-based irrigation system 100 includes a computer 102, although ina central control system, it is understood that the computer 102 can bea computer, a computer system, a mobile computer device, a smart phone,a tablet computer, a server or a server system, for example. Thecomputer 102 may be at the irrigation site (landscape) or may be remotefrom the irrigation site. The computer 102 has central controlirrigation control software installed thereon that can create and/orexecute all irrigation schedules and programming. Often, the computer102 generates schedules for hundreds of irrigation stations or zones inthe field. In some configurations, the computer 102 is coupled to one ormore field interface devices or irrigation control units 104. FIG. 1illustrates an irrigation control unit 104. The computer 102 may becoupled to the irrigation control unit 104 through various types ofwired and/or wireless local area networks and/or wide area networks. Theirrigation control unit 104 is the interface to the local irrigationdevices 108 in the field, such as decoders, receivers, sprinklers,sensors and so on. In a decoder-based system, the irrigation controlunit 104 includes an encoder or a modulator and a multi-wire outputinterface that electrically couple to a multi-wire path 106 (e.g., atwo-wire path) that extends from the irrigation control unit 104 intothe field. The multi-wire path 106 can extend tens or hundreds of metersin the landscape. The multi-wire path 106 is typically a two-wire path;however, it is understood that this path may be a three or more wirepath. The irrigation control unit 104 receives irrigation commandsand/or irrigation schedules from the computer 102, and uses theencoder/modulator to encode or modulate data from these commands and/orschedules onto an output power signal that is applied to the multi-wirepath 106. The output power signal provides power and control signalingover the multi-wire path 106 to irrigation devices 108 connected to themulti-wire path 106. As is common, various irrigation devices 108 (e.g.,decoders, receivers, and so on) connected to the multi-wire path 106 atdifferent locations in the field. These irrigation devices 108 receivethe output power signal and derive their operational power and decode ordemodulate the data on the signal to determine if the data from thesignal is intended for the particular device or not, and if it is, thedevice takes any action indicated by the data. For example, if thecomputer 102 intends that a given irrigation device 108 is to causeirrigation, the output power signal is modulated with data to addressthe given irrigation device 108 and provide a turn on command. The givenirrigation device 108 decodes or demodulates data on the multi-wire path106 and decodes or demodulates the turn on command. The irrigationdevice 108 then causes an electrically actuated solenoid valve connectedto (or integrated with) the irrigation device to open allowing water toflow through the valve to the sprinkler device/s in the flow path of thevalve. In a typical decoder-based control system, there may be tens orhundreds of irrigation devices 108. Although only one multi-wire path106 is shown in FIG. 1, it is understood that there may be more than onemulti-wire path extending from the irrigation control unit 104.

In FIG. 2, a simplified block diagram of an exemplary irrigationcontroller-based decoder irrigation system 200 is shown. In thisembodiment, a dedicated irrigation controller, referred to as irrigationcontrol unit 202, includes all functionality to generate and executeirrigation schedules with user input. That is, the irrigation controlunit 202 includes a user interface (e.g., rotary dial, buttons,switches, display screen, and so on) and includes programming (e.g.,firmware stored in memory of the controller). Thus, in some embodiments,the functionality of the computer 102 and irrigation control unit 104 ofFIG. 1 may be implemented in the irrigation control unit 202. Forexample, the irrigation control unit 202 includes an encoder ormodulator that is configured to encode or modulate data based on thestored irrigation schedules and/or manual user commands onto an outputpower signal that is applied to the multi-wire path 106 (e.g., atwo-wire path as shown in FIG. 2). For example, the output power signaloutput over the multi-wire path 106 provides operational power to theirrigation devices 108 (illustrated as decoders) and/or is modulatedwith data in order to address and instruct the devices 108 according tothe irrigation programming in the irrigation control unit 202. Relativeto the system of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 illustrates valves 204 (e.g., latchingor non-latching solenoid activated valves) coupled to the devices 108.The valves 204 control water flow through a pressurized water pipe tosprinkler devices 206. In some embodiments, the valves 204 are referredto as zones or stations, each having an assigned number. It isunderstood that there may be one or more valves 204 coupled to a givendevice 108. In some embodiments, the functionality of the irrigationcontrol unit is implemented in a front panel or control module havingthe main control circuit board and microcontroller, and thefunctionality to interface with and encode signals for the multi-wirepath 106 is provided in an encoder/modulator module that is electricallycoupled to the front panel, the encoder/modulator module including themulti-wire interface connectors. A commercial example of a decoder-basedirrigation controller is the Rain Bird ESP-LXD Series Two-Wire DecoderController, commercially available from Rain Bird Corporation of Azusa,Calif., United States. See also, U.S. Publication No. US2020/0100440,published Apr. 2, 2020, entitled IRRIGATION CONTROLLER WITH RELAYS(Docket No. 8473-147633-US), which describes various decoder-basedirrigation controllers and is incorporated herein by reference. And seealso, U.S. application Ser. No. 17/175,372, filed Feb. 12, 2021,entitled DATA MODULATED SIGNAL GENERATION IN A MULTI-WIRE IRRIGATIONCONTROL SYSTEM, (Docket No. 8473-150383-US), which describes variousdecoder-based irrigation controllers and data modulation approaches andis incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, a user interface of the exemplary irrigationcontroller-based decoder irrigation system 200 is implemented at leastin part at a device remote from the irrigation control unit 202 and incommunication with the control unit 202. For example, at least portionsof the user interface are implemented by a mobile application 210installed on and executed by a mobile electronic device 212 such as amobile phone or tablet. When executed, the mobile application 210 causesthe mobile electronic device 212 to wirelessly communicate with theirrigation control unit 202 having a wireless transceiver. Thiscommunication may be direct between the mobile electronic device 212 andthe irrigation control unit 202 (e.g., using Bluetooth or WiFi), and/ormay be via one or more intermediary devices 214 (such as servers,routers, repeaters, network devices, cellular communication systems,local area networks, and so on). The mobile application 210 provides acontrol interface to the user via the user interface of the mobileelectronic device 212 (e.g., using a touch sensitive display screen,buttons, voice input, etc.). In such embodiments, the mobile application210 and the mobile electronic device 212 provide and include allfunctionality to receive user input and commands used to generate andexecute irrigation schedules. In some embodiments, the user interfacemay be entirely implemented via the mobile application 210 and mobileelectronic device 212 such that a user interface (rotary dial, buttons,switches, display screen, and so on) for user input is not needed at thecontrol unit 202. Further, it is understood that in some embodiments,the irrigation control unit 102 of FIG. 1 may similarly communicate witha mobile application of a mobile electronic device to receive some orall of the input needed to generate and execute irrigation schedules.

In known decoder-based control systems, there are various ways to encodeor modulate data onto the signal that is applied to a two-wire path.Many approaches involve modulating one or more of the amplitude, phase,and frequency of an alternating current (AC) power signal. For, example,many known approaches selectively clip an amplitude of the power signalin order to encode data bits on the power signal. For example, see U.S.Pat. No. 8,260,465, issued Sep. 4, 2012, entitled DATA COMMUNICATION INA MULTI-WIRE IRRIGATION CONTROL SYSTEM (Docket No. 8473-92008-US), andU.S. application Ser. No. 17/175,372 referred to above, both of whichdescribe various data modulation techniques and are incorporated hereinby reference.

In accordance with several embodiments, circuits, systems and methodsare provided to produce an output power signal for the multi-wire path.FIGS. 3A and 3B provide different examples of devices that use amodulator to provide an output power signal that is modulated with data.In some embodiments, an input power signal is converted into a DCvoltage, which is used to generate an AC signal modulated with data. Forexample, referring next to FIG. 3A, a simplified block diagram is shownof an exemplary irrigation system 300 that includes an irrigationcontrol unit 318 including an encoder (encoder circuit) that generatesan output power signal that is applied to the multi-wire path 106. Insome embodiments, the irrigation control unit 318 may correspond to theirrigation control unit 104 and/or the dedicated irrigation control unit202. By one approach, the irrigation control unit 318 includes anencoder 312 having an AC to DC converter 304, a control circuit 305 anda signal generator 306 (which can be more generically referred to as amodulator). In some embodiments, an input AC power signal source 302 iscoupled to the AC to DC converter 304 which outputs a DC voltage 314. Inone configuration, the input AC signal source 302 may provide a 120 VACsignal and/or 240 VAC signal at 50 Hz and/or 60 Hz. It is understoodthat the characteristics of the signal from the input AC signal source302 will depend on the power source and can have any suitable voltagelevel and frequency. It is further understood that the signal from theinput AC signal source 302 may be a power signal input into theirrigation control unit 318 (e.g., from the wall) or may be a steppeddown or transformed power signal. The DC voltage 314 output by the AC toDC converter 304 is input to the signal generator 306. For example, theDC voltage may be at any suitable level, such as at 24, 40, 48 volts DC.The value of the DC voltage will vary depending on the requirements ofthe system.

The AC to DC converter 304 is coupled to a control circuit 305 which isalso coupled to the signal generator 306. The control circuit 305 is aprocessor-based device including one or more processors, and operateswith one or more integrated or connected memories. The control circuit305 and the memory may be integrated together, such as in amicrocontroller, application specification integrated circuit, fieldprogrammable gate array or other such device, or may be separate devicescoupled together. Generally, the control circuit 305 can comprise afixed-purpose hard-wired platform or can comprise a partially or whollyprogrammable platform. These architectural options are well known andunderstood in the art and require no further description here. Andgenerally, the control circuit 305 is configured (for example, by usingcorresponding software and/or firmware programming as will be wellunderstood by those skilled in the art) to carry out one or more of thesteps, actions, and/or functions described herein. For example, in someembodiments, the control circuit 305 controls operation of the encoder312 and/or the irrigation control unit 318, and outputs signaling to thesignal generator 306 to control the waveform of the output power signal316 provided to the multi-wire path 106.

In some embodiments, under control by the control circuit, the signalgenerator 306 creates a modulated output signal having any desiredsignal characteristics or modulation technique. The output power signal316 is coupled to the multi-wire path 106 at a multi-wire path connectoror multi-wire interface 307. In some embodiments, the output powersignal 316 provides operational power to the irrigation devices (e.g.,decoders 308) coupled to the multi-wire path 106, in such case, theoutput power signal may also be referred to as an AC power signal. Insome embodiments, the output power signal 316 is modulated with data butdoes not provide operational power, i.e., the devices connected to themulti-wire path receive their operational power in other ways, such asthrough battery power or connection to a different power supply.

One or more irrigation control devices are connected to the multi-wirepath 106 at variously locations about the length of the path 106. Asillustrated in FIG. 3A, these irrigation control devices are shown asdecoders 308 (which may also be referred to as demodulators orreceivers). The decoders 308 derive operational power from the receivedsignal and decode the data from the signal to determine if they areaddressed and receive and execute any received commands. In someembodiments, the decoders 308 corresponds to irrigation devices 108 ofFIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2.

Depending on the signaling output from the control circuit 305, theoutput power signal 316 provided by the signal generator 306 may bemodulated in any number of ways. In some embodiments, the output powersignal is one or more of amplitude, frequency, and phase modulated withdata.

In some embodiments, the output power signal is frequency modulated. Forexample, in some embodiments, the signal generator 306 creates a signalin which the frequency of one or more cycles of the signal isselectively changed to modulate data bits on the signal, e.g., using afrequency shift keying modulation. For example, as controlled by thecontrol circuit 305, the signal generator 306 selectively changes thefrequency of each cycle of the AC signal (at the start of each cycle) toone of two or more values, e.g., 55 and 65 Hz, thereby outputting amodulated output power signal 316 over the multi-wire path 106. In someembodiments, the decoders 308 determine whether each cycle is at 55 Hzand/or 65 Hz to extract the corresponding 1 or 0 data bit. In anillustrative non-limiting example, by using frequencies close to 60 Hz,the modulated signal may power the decoders 308 and any connectedirrigation components 310, such as latching or non-latching solenoids,sensors, and so on.

In some embodiments, the output power signal is phase modulated. Forexample, in some embodiments, the signal generator 306 may create asignal in which the phase of one or more cycles of the signal isselectively changed to modulate data bits on the signal. For example, ascontrolled by the control circuit 305, the signal generator 306selectively changes the phase of each cycle of the output power signal(at the start of each cycle) to be in phase or out of phase therebyoutputting a modulated output power signal 316 over the multi-wire path106.

Referring next to FIG. 3B, a simplified block diagram is shown of anexemplary irrigation system 301 that includes an irrigation control unit320 including an encoder 312 (encoder circuit) that modulates andprovides an output power signal that is applied to the multi-wire path106. In some embodiments, the irrigation control unit 320 may correspondto the irrigation control unit 104 and/or the dedicated irrigationcontrol unit 202. By one approach, the irrigation control unit 320includes an encoder 312 having a control circuit 305 and a signalmodulator 322 (which, like the signal generator 306, can be moregenerically referred to as a modulator). In some embodiments, the inputAC power signal source 302 provides the input power signal 315 to thesignal modulator. In one configuration, the input AC signal 315 may be a120 VAC signal and/or 240 VAC signal at 50 Hz and/or 60 Hz. It isunderstood that the characteristics of the input AC signal 315 willdepend on the power source and can have any suitable voltage level andfrequency. It is further understood that the input AC signal 315 may bea power signal input into the irrigation control unit 318 (e.g., fromthe wall) or may be a stepped down or transformed power signal.

The control circuit 305 will be powered by a rectified and stepped downDC signal obtained from the input AC signal 315 and is coupled to andcontrols the signal modulator 322. The control circuit 305 controlsoperation of the encoder 312 and/or the irrigation control unit 320, andoutputs signaling to the signal modulator 322 causing it to modulate theinput AC signal 315 to resulting in the output power signal 316 providedto the multi-wire path 106 via a multi-wire path connector or multi-wireinterface 307. Like that described in FIG. 3A, the output power signal316 provides operational power to the irrigation devices (e.g., decoders308) coupled to the multi-wire path 106. In some embodiments, the outputpower signal 316 is modulated with data but does not provide operationalpower, i.e., the devices connected to the multi-wire path receive theiroperational power in other ways, such as through battery power orconnection to a different power supply. Depending on the signalingoutput from the control circuit 305, the output power signal 316provided by the signal modulator 322 may be modulated in any number ofways. In some embodiments, the output power signal is one or more ofamplitude, frequency, and phase modulated with data. However, incontrast to the signal generator 306 of FIG. 3A, the signal modulator322 does not generate the output power signal. It modulates the inputpower signal to provide the output power signal. Further, while notshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the encoders 312 may also include one or moreswitches or relays (such as solid state relays (SSRs), e.g., reed relaycoupled SSR, transformer coupled SSR, photo-coupled SSR, among othertype of SSRs that are commercially available) that couple or connect theoutput power signal to the multi-wire interface. And similarly, whilenot shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, there may be more than one multiple-wireinterface configured to couple to multiple multi-wire paths, such asdescribed in U.S. Publication No. US2020/0100440, referred to above andis incorporated herein by reference.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, output power signal 400 ismodulated with data by encoding each cycle of the output power signalwith one of two frequencies to represent data bits. Each cycle of theoutput power signal is modulated to be either at a first frequency (seefirst cycle 404) or at a second frequency (see second cycle 406). Asillustrated, the first cycle 404 is at a higher frequency (the firstfrequency) than the second cycle 406 (the second frequency).Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second cycle 406 is at a higherfrequency than the second cycle 406. As can be seen, in theseembodiments, the first cycle 404 represents a logic 0 and the secondcycle 406 represents a logic 1. In the illustrated embodiment, thesignal protocol includes a preamble 408, a data sync portion 410, a dataportion 412, an idle sync portion 414, an idle portion 418, and apostamble 416. In some embodiments, the decoder may not be powered on asshown in 402 where zero voltage is applied to the path. During the startof power/data transmission, the preamble 408 is sent as a number of thefirst cycles to provide the decoder and/or the irrigation devices timeto power up and/or activate before it is time to decode data. Next, async portion 410 having a known sequence of modulated cycles is providedto indicate the start of data transmission. For example, in someembodiments, during a first period of time, one or more cycles of thewaveform are modulated at one or more first frequencies to synchronize astart of the modulated data portion of the waveform. Next, the dataportion 412 is provided that includes a series of cycles modulated aseither cycle 404 or 406 to transmit data bits (and data bytes) to thedecoder. For example, in some embodiments, during a second period, theoutput power signal is modulated such that one or more cycles of theoutput power signal are at one or more second frequencies to create themodulated data portion. In some embodiments, the second frequencies canbe the same as the first frequencies, can have one or more frequenciesin common or can be different frequencies. In some embodiments, theencoded data in the modulated data portion can represent one or more ofa first instruction to activate one or more irrigation devices and asecond instruction to deactivate the one or more irrigation devices.There may also be periods of no data transmission shown by the idleportion 418. In some embodiments, the period of time provided by theidle portion 418 is a period of time that the irrigation control unit104 of FIG. 1 and/or the dedicated irrigation control unit 202 of FIG. 2have allotted to receive a response from one or more decoders 108 and/orirrigation devices. For example, in some embodiments, there may be oneor more periods within the modulated data portion where the output powersignal is modulated such that one or more cycles of the output powersignal are at one or more first frequencies to separate data content ofthe modulated data portion. If data transmission is to resume, anotherdata sync portion 410 and data portion 412 are provided.

If no further data transmission is needed, the idle portion 418 isfollowed by the postamble 416, and then the signal is no longer appliedto the multi-wire path. In some embodiments, the postamble 416 resemblesthe idle portion 418 with the exception of the data sync portion 410that precedes the idle portion 418. For example, in some embodiments,the output AC signal is modulated such that one or more cycles of theoutput power signal are at the one or more first frequencies tosynchronize an end of the modulated data portion of the output powersignal. Given that each cycle of the power signal is modulated to one oftwo frequencies, the decoding circuitry need only detect the timing ofzero crossings to determine the frequency of a given cycle, and thus,the data bit represented by the cycle. In some embodiments, one or morefrequencies are used for modulating data in the data portion (e.g., theone or more second frequencies) and at least one different frequency isused in the portions of the waveform that serve to frame (sync and/orend) or separate the data portion. Further variations of frequencymodulation of the output power signal are described in U.S. applicationSer. No. 17/175,372 referred to above, and which is incorporated hereinby reference.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary data packet format 502 is shown ofa message encoded in an output power signal of an exemplary irrigationcontrol unit in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments,the irrigation control unit may correspond to the irrigation controlunit 104 of FIG. 1, the dedicated irrigation control unit 202 of FIG. 2,and/or the irrigation control unit 318 and 322 of FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG.6 shows exemplary codeword fields/format 602 of an encoded output powersignal in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments,information is sent across a multi-wire path 106 (e.g., a two-wire path)in 16-bit codewords (which may be referred to generically as signals)that correspond to either an idle pattern or an 8-bit data byte. Forexample, the exemplary output power signal shown in FIG. 4 is sent overthe multi-wire path 106 in 16-bit codewords (e.g., in FIG. 4, the dataportion 412 is a 16-bit codeword and the idle portion 418 is another16-bit codeword). As shown in the codeword fields 602 along with theexplanation in exemplary table 604 of FIG. 6, the first two bits of eachcodeword provide a synchronization preamble 606 that allows bothcodeword alignment and idle detection. The remaining 14 bits includeeither all zero bits (for an idle codeword) or two Hamming encoded datanibbles (for a data codeword, which is also referred to or describedherein as encoded modulated data or message).

The Hamming-encoded nibbles are interleaved within the codeword toprovide better error correction in the presence of two consecutive biterrors. For example, bit errors may typically come in pairs given theuse of zero-cross timing analysis to demodulate the bit stream on themulti-wire path 106. By one approach, if the timing on one bit isincorrectly determined, this may affect both that bit and the followingbit since the start time of the following bit is, by definition, the endtime of the preceding bit. As such, this may result in bit error pairsthat manifest as either (1,0) or (0,1) pairs. Thus, interleaving spreadsthe consecutive bit errors over the two separately-encoded nibbles, suchthat each nibble suffers a single bit error, which can be corrected bythe Hamming decoding. It is understood by those skilled in the art thatother error detection schemes other than the Hamming codes may be usedto detect and/or correct errors in data transmitted over a multi-wirepath 106. Moreover, the determination and/or calculation of the Hammingparity bits in the table 604 is known in the art and will not bedescribed herein in details.

In some embodiments, a bit error in the synchronization preamble forcodewords within a message may be allowed due to codeword alignment tothe idle pattern, which allows the irrigation control unit to carry thatalignment forward into following codewords even in the presence of biterrors in the synchronization preamble. In such an embodiment, thereceiver (e.g., irrigation device 108) may determine that the codewordis valid if at least one of the preamble bits is a one. Alternativelyand/or in addition to, the receiver (e.g., irrigation device) maydetermine that a loss of synchronization has occurred if both bits ofthe synchronization preamble are zero. In some embodiments, one or moreirrigation devices receiving the codewords transmitted by the irrigationcontrol unit may discard the received idle codewords and decode the datacodewords into message bytes.

In FIG. 5, the exemplary data packet format 502 illustrates the formatof the data/message sent over the multi-wire path 106. The data packetstarts with a one byte header 510 defining the message protocol 504 andthe length of the packet payload 506. The protocol field 504 identifiesthe format of the embedded payload data 508. In some embodiments, thediscovery protocol 512 and/or certain command messages 514 supportfeedback from irrigation devices. This feedback may occur during IDLEcodewords (e.g., feedback portions 712 of FIG. 7) sent immediatelyfollowing the data packet triggering the feedback.

Discovery of Addresses of Devices

In some embodiments, in order to address the irrigation devicesconnected to a multi-wire path in these decoder-based irrigationsystems, the unique addresses of the irrigation devices are to be knownat the irrigation control unit 104, 202 or at the computer 102 if it iscreating the messages/commands to be modulated on the output powersignal. It is time consuming and error prone to manually enter theseaddresses into the computer 102 or the irrigation control unit 202.Further, an installer may need to gather all devices in one location torecord addresses, or may need to walk the landscape while recordingaddresses, and may even need to unearth installed devices to recordaddresses. Further, the process of typing or entering addresses at acomputer is tedious and error prone. And in controller-based systems,like the irrigation control unit 202, the user interface at theirrigation control unit 202 is often very limited. For example, theremay only be a few keys/buttons and a limited display space. Enteringmore than even a few addresses in such interfaces is challenging. Evenif addresses are optically read and transferred to the irrigationcontrol unit 202 or the computer 102, it is still time consuming to scanthe addresses, and may involve going to the site of installed devicesand unearthing them to read addresses.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods areprovided for automatic detection of irrigation devices connected to amulti-wire path irrigation system. Such embodiments provide thatirrigation devices are installed in the field and connected to themulti-wire path. The irrigation control unit then executes an automateddevice discovery process that will determine the unique addresses of theirrigation devices connected to the two-wire path. In some embodiments,this avoids the need to record or scan/read any addresses from theirrigations and avoids the need to transfer or enter the addresses intothe irrigation control unit and/or computer. And in some embodiments,since there is not manual recording and entry, human error is removed.Further, in some embodiments, the process or discovering addresses isconsiderably faster than traditional approaches. In some embodiments,the automatic device discovery process can be executed when devices areinstalled, and can be re-executed as new devices are added and olddevices are removed. In some embodiments, an automatic device discoveryprocess is executed by a control circuit of the irrigation control unit.In some embodiments, the automated device discovery process may beinitiated and/or controlled by a computer (e.g., computer 102 coupled tothe irrigation control unit 104).

In some embodiments, a control circuit performs an automated devicediscovery process via the discovery protocol 512. By one approach, areference to a control circuit described herein may correspond to thecontrol circuits 305 of FIGS. 3A and 3B and/or one or more controlcircuits associated with the irrigation control unit 104 of FIG. 1, thededicated irrigation control unit 202, and/or irrigation control unit318. By another approach, a reference to an irrigation control unitdescribed herein may correspond to the irrigation control unit 104 ofFIG. 1, the dedicated irrigation control unit 202 of FIG. 2, and/orirrigation control units 318 and 322 of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Referring next to FIG. 13, a flow diagram is shown of an exemplaryprocess 1300 of automatic discovery of addresses of irrigation devicesin accordance with some embodiments. Initially, an automatic orautomated device discovery process is initiated (Step 1302). Forexample, the process is automatically initiated according to controlprogramming, and/or the process is initiated by a user via user inputvia a user interface. In some embodiments, the functionality of theprocess is implemented through the execution of computer program code bya control circuit. For example, a control circuit or microcontrollerexecutes the computer program code (e.g., as firmware) to execute thediscovery process. In some embodiments, the code is stored in internalmemory of the control circuit, and in other embodiments, the code isstored in a separate memory accessible by the control circuit toretrieve and execute. In some embodiments, the control circuit is partof an irrigation control unit (e.g., irrigation control units 104, 202,318, 320) and/or part of a computer 102 (e.g., a computer, server,mobile computer device, smart phone, tablet computer, and so on)functioning at least in part as an irrigation control unit. In someembodiments, the control circuit is coupled to and controls a modulator(e.g., the signal generator 306 of FIG. 3A and the signal modulator 322of FIG. 3B) that provides a modulated output power signal to amulti-wire interface 307. The multi-wire interface 307 is configured tobe electrically coupled or connected to the multi-wire path 106 thatextends into a landscape and to which irrigation devices are connected.In some embodiments, each irrigation device has a unique address andderives operational power from the output power signal and demodulatesthe data. And in some embodiments, a purpose of the automatic devicediscovery process is to discover or find the unique addresses of theirrigation devices connected to the multi-wire path without requiringaddresses to be manually recorded and entered in the control unit oroptically scanned and transferred to the control unit.

Once initiated, the modulator is caused (e.g., by the control circuit)to modulate data comprising a discovery message on the output powersignal (Step 1304). In some embodiments, the control circuit is coupledto and causes the modulator (e.g., the signal generator 306 or thesignal modulator 322) to modulate the output power signal. In someembodiments, the discovery message indicates a portion of an address tomatch and prompts a response from one or more of the irrigation devicesin which a corresponding portion of the unique address matches theportion of the address to match. As described herein, in someembodiments, it is understood that unique addresses need only be uniquefor a particular installation or multi-wire path, and need not beglobally unique across all installations. FIG. 7 illustrates anexemplary format of a discovery message 702 in accordance with someembodiments. For example, the discovery message 702 indicates a portionof an address to match (e.g., from the data in field 716 and indicatedby parameter portions 708 and 710) and prompts a response from one ormore of the irrigation devices in which a corresponding portion of aunique address matches the portion of the address to match. Thediscovery message 702 may then be followed by one or more feedbackperiods of time (also referred to as feedback slots) in feedbackportions 712 during which irrigation devices with a matching addressportion will provide feedback to indicate their presence on andconnection to the multi-wire path 106.

The output power signal is provided or output over the multi-wire path(Step 1306). Next, it is determined if one or more responses to thediscovery message are received from one or more irrigation devicesconnected to the multi-wire path (Step 1308). In some configurations, ifa response is not received, the control circuit determines if anotheriteration of the discovery message is needed (Step 1312). If anotheriteration is needed (Step 1312), then the control circuit causes themodulator to modulate a next iteration of the discovery message on theoutput power signal (Step 1304). If another iteration is not needed(Step 1312), this indicates that unique addresses have been found forall devices connected to the multi-wire path and the process ends (Step1314). Step 1314 will typically occur after multiple iterationsdepending at least on the number of devices connected and the addressspace to search. If response/s is/are received in Step 1308, theresponse/s is/are processed (Step 1310), e.g., to determine additionaldevices with matching address portions and to assist in determining anext portion of an address to match for the next iteration. Until alladdresses are determined, a next iteration is needed (at Step 1312), andthe process repeats at Step 1302.

The process of FIG. 13 may be performed by the devices and systemsdescribed herein and other devices and systems. For example, controlcircuits implemented in the irrigation control units (e.g., irrigationcontrol units 104, 202, 318, 320) using modulators (e.g., signalgenerator 306, signal modulator 322) may execute device discoveryprocesses in some embodiments. Further details are described below andby way of examples.

In some embodiments, the control circuit executes, at step 1304, anautomated device discovery process that causes the modulator to modulatedata including iterations of discovery messages (e.g., discoverymessages 702) on the output power signal. By one approach, the discoverymessages each indicate a respective portion of an address to match andprompt a response from one or more of the irrigation devices in which acorresponding portion of the unique address matches the respectiveportion of the address to match. In some configurations, responses toeach iteration of the discovery message result in a modification of therespective portion of the address to match for subsequent discoverymessages. In some embodiments, a modification corresponds to an addresssearch covering a narrowing range of addresses to match (anotherrecursion depth). And in some embodiments, the modification correspondsto an address search covering a broadening range of addresses to match(back a recursion depth). In some embodiments, the response from one ormore of the irrigation devices indicates that the corresponding portionof the unique address matches the respective portion of the address tomatch.

In some embodiments, the discovery process response from the one or moreof the irrigation devices occurs in a respective feedback period of time(feedback slot) corresponding to an additional portion of the uniqueaddress of the one or more of the irrigation devices. In someembodiments, the response from the one or more of the irrigation devicesindicates that the corresponding portion of the unique address matchesthe respective portion of the address to match and indicates theadditional portion of the unique address of the one or more of theirrigation devices. For example, if the discover message instructsdevices matching the first 4 address bits to respond, and to respond ina feedback period of time indicated by the next 4 address bits, then aresponse by a device in a given feedback period of time indicates adevice exists on the path in which the first 8 address bits are known.And assuming there are more than 8 bits in the address, this informationindicates a range of devices that may respond. In some embodiments, thisinformation is used to define the next bits to match in the nextdiscover message. In some embodiments, the automated device discoveryprocess ends when a complete address is matched for each of the one ormore of the irrigation devices connected to the multi-wire path. In someembodiments, the automated device discovery process executed by thecontrol circuit causes the modulator to modulate data including aninitial discovery message on the output power signal to be transmittedprior to the discovery message. In some configurations, the initialdiscovery message may prompt a response from each of the irrigationdevices connected to the multi-wire path 106 and not specify any addressbits to match.

In some embodiments, the discovery message 702 is encoded onto theoutput power signal in accordance with the codeword field/format 602 andthe table 604. In some embodiments, the synchronization preamble 606 anderror detection bits (e.g., Hamming parity bits) are encoded with thediscovery message 702 onto the output power signal.

In some embodiments, the exemplary discovery message 702 includes amessage header portion 704 and/or discovery parameters (a firstparameter portion 706, a second parameter portion 708, and a thirdparameter portion 710). In some configurations, the discovery message702 may include a data portion defining a number of address bits in theportion of the address to match and defining a value of the address bitsof the portion of the address to match. In another configurations, thediscovery message 702 may include a feedback portion defining a numberof feedback periods of time for irrigation devices matching the portionof the address to respond. In some embodiments, the discovery parameterscorrespond to the payload data 508 of FIG. 5. By one approach, themessage header portion 704 may include a protocol version field 504 anda payload length field 506. Referring back to FIG. 7, the firstparameter portion 706 may include a field for number of address bits tomatch 716 and/or a field for a number of feedback periods of time 718.For example, field 716 may indicate that 4 bits in the address are to bematched, and field 718 may indicate that there are 4 feedback periods oftime. In some embodiments, the discovery message 702 includes a firstdata portion (e.g., the number of address bits to match field 716) and asecond data portion (e.g., the number of feedback slots field 718). Thefirst data portion corresponds to and/or defines the portion of theaddress bits to match and the second data portion corresponds tofeedback periods of time for each of the one or more of the irrigationdevices to respond. In some embodiments, the first data portion and thesecond data portion define a range of addresses of irrigation devices torespond to the discovery message. In some embodiments, the first dataportion defines a first set of address bits to match and a position offirst set of address bits in the address (e.g., a combination of thenumber of address bits to match field 716 and at least one of the secondparameter portion 708 and the third parameter portion 710). For example,the field 716 together with portions 708 and 710 indicate to match the 4most significant bits, and they should match 1111. The second parameterportion 708 may correspond to most significant address bits to matchfield 708. The third parameter portion 710 may correspond to leastsignificant address bits to match field 710. In some embodiments, inthis example discovery message, if the most significant 8 or lessaddress bits are to be matched, the third parameter portion is notneeded. For example, if only matching the most significant 4 bits being1111, then only the second portion 708 is populated with data. However,if it is intended to match the most significant 9 or more bits, both thesecond and third parameter portions 708 and 710 are used. In someembodiments, the second data portion may define a set of feedbackperiods of time in field 718. In some embodiments, each feedback periodof time corresponds to a second set of address bits and a position ofthe second set of address bits in the address. Illustrative non-limitingexamples are described below in at least FIGS. 12A, 12B and 15A.

In some embodiments, a feedback period of time for use by each of theone or more of the irrigation devices depends on an additional portionof the unique address of each of the one or more of the irrigationdevices, which is illustrated in FIG. 8 and described below. In someembodiments, when a given irrigation device responds to the discoverymessage 702 during a given feedback period of time (e.g., feedback slot)in feedback portions 712, the response indicates that the givenirrigation device matches the first set of address bits and indicatesthe second set of address bits of the given irrigation device as can beseen in the recursion depths 1 and 2 of FIGS. 12A and 12B. In someconfigurations, subsequent to the transmission of the modulated data, acontrol circuit may cause a modulator to transmit over the multi-wirepath 106 one or more first idle signals (e.g., idle codewords of thefeedback portions 712) corresponding to a feedback period of time thecontrol circuit has allocated to receive the response from the one ormore of the irrigation devices.

In yet some embodiments, subsequent to the transmission of the one ormore first idle signals, the control circuit may cause the modulator totransmit over the multi-wire path 106 at least one synchronizationsignal for the irrigation devices. For example, a final idle portion 714is for synchronization purposes and allows the irrigation devices tore-synchronize (and be ready to receive another discovery message overthe multi-wire path 106) after each transmission of discovery message bythe control circuit 305. In some embodiments, after the discoverymessage 702, the feedback portions 712 may be included in the modulateddata to provide a period of time for feedback from the irrigationdevices. Each feedback portion 712 may include 16 zero bits, and anirrigation device may assert feedback during the bit positioncorresponding by the next address bits (e.g., the four address bits thatfollow the match indicated in this command).

As illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, an automated device discoveryprocess executed by a control circuit may detect one or more responsesfrom the one or more of the irrigation devices in which thecorresponding portion of the unique address matches the portion of theaddress to match. The control circuit may determine, based on thedetected one or more responses, a next portion of the address to match.Alternatively or in addition to, the control circuit may cause themodulator to modulate data including a next discovery message 702 on theoutput power signal. In some embodiments, the next discovery message 702indicates the next portion of the address to match and prompts a nextresponse from at least one of the one or more of the irrigation devicesin which a corresponding portion of the unique address matches the nextportion of the address to match. In some embodiments, the next portionof the address to match may include the portion of the address to matchhaving already been matched together with another portion of the addressto match, such that a narrower range of addresses is targeted by thenext discovery message. And in some embodiments, the next portion of theaddress to match may include another portion of the address to match(e.g., that does not include the prior portion to match), such that abroader range of addresses is targeted by the next discovery message.

In some embodiments, an automated device discovery process executed bythe control circuit causes the modulator to modulate data including idleportions on the output power signal subsequent to the discovery message.By one approach, the idle portions may correspond to feedback periods oftime for the irrigation devices to respond. The control circuit maydetect one or more responses from the one or more of the irrigationdevices in one or more of the feedback periods of time. By one approach,the one or more responses may indicate a presence of irrigation deviceson the multi-wire path having unique addresses matching the portion ofthe address to match. In some embodiments, the idle portions includesunmodulated signals.

In some embodiments, any irrigation device having a unique addressmatching the portion of the address to match may respond during a givenone of the feedback periods of time by drawing current from themulti-wire path 106 during the given one of the feedback periods oftime. By one approach, the automated device discovery process executedby the control circuit may detect current drawn during the given one ofthe feedback periods of time and interpret the current drawn as aresponse from an irrigation device having a unique address matching theportion of the address to match. For example, FIG. 16 illustrates asimplified block diagram of an exemplary decoder 1600 that would coupleto a multi-wire path 106 in accordance with some embodiments. Forexample, the decoder 1600 may provide feedback by connecting a shuntresistor R7 across the multi-wire path 106, which may cause a currentincrease that can be detected by a control circuit at the irrigationcontrol unit. The diode D7 can prevent an inadvertent discharging of thecapacitor C1 when the shunt resistor R7 is connected across themulti-wire path 106 via an activation of the switch by a microcontrollerof the decoder 1600. One or more irrigation devices may assert thisfeedback during a specific bit (cycle and/or period) time correspondingto the portion of their address immediately following the address bitsmatched by the discovery message 702. The number of address bitscontributing to the feedback bit position may be determined by thenumber of partitions N specified in the discovery message 702 (e.g., theportion for number of address bits to match 716). In some embodiments,an encoder (e.g., the encoder 312) of an irrigation control unitincludes a current measure circuit 1702 coupled to an H-Bridge circuit1704 that can sense and measure the current being drawn by irrigationdevices (e.g., the decoder 1600) on the multi-wire path 106, e.g., inorder to detect whether a decoder responded to the discovery message702. The current measure circuit 1702 provides an output to amicrocontroller 1706 (or a control circuit 305). Additional details ofthe decoder 1600 can be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 17/175,372referred to above and which is incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, an automated device discovery process executed bythe control circuit determines that no responses are provided by any ofthe irrigation devices in response to the discovery message 702. By oneapproach, the control circuit may determine a next portion of theaddress to match and/or cause the modulator to modulate data including anext discovery message on the output power signal. The next discoverymessage may indicate the next portion of the address to match and prompta response from at least one of the one or more of the irrigationdevices in which a corresponding portion of the unique address matchesthe next portion of the address to match.

In some embodiments, an automated device discovery process executed bythe control circuit may cause the modulator to modulate data includingan initial discovery message on the output power signal to betransmitted prior to the discovery message. By one approach, the initialdiscovery message may prompt a response from each of the irrigationdevices connected to the multi-wire path 106. In some configurations,the initial discovery message may prompt the response from each of theirrigation devices connected to the multi-wire path 106 in a respectiveone of a plurality of feedback periods of time. In some configurations,the automated device discovery process may end when a complete addressis matched for each of the one or more of the irrigation devicesconnected to the multi-wire path 106 after multiple iterations of thediscovery message 702 being sent. In some embodiments, each iterationindicates a respective portion of the address to match and prompts arespective response from the irrigation devices in which a correspondingportion of the unique address matches the respective portion of theaddress to match.

To illustrate, FIGS. 15A-B show an illustrative non-limiting example ofthe message format of FIG. 7 and exemplary process for automaticdiscovery of addresses of irrigation devices of FIG. 8, respectively, inaccordance with some embodiments. A first table 1502 of FIG. 15Aprovides a logical view of the discovery message 702 on the multi-wirepath 106 before code-word expansion and modulation as explained in FIG.6. A second table 1504 in FIG. 15B shows the modulated bits in the firsttable 1502 after codeword expansion, as sent by the control circuit 305and/or the irrigation control unit 104, 202, 318, 322 over themulti-wire path 106. The letter “H” corresponds to the determined and/orcalculated corresponding Hamming parity bits. The first parameterportion 706 of the first table 1502 indicates that there are 2 feedbackslots for a total of 16 feedback bits as shown in the feedback portions712. In some embodiments, the feed-back bit position for an irrigationdevice is defined by the address bits immediately following the matchingaddress bits shown in the most significant address bits to match 708 ofthe first table 1502. In this example, the matching address bits are inbit positions 15 through 12 (which is the hex value of F or binary 1111)as shown in the most significant address bits to match 708 in FIG. 15A.The feedback bit position is determined by the irrigation device'saddress bits 11 through 8 (which is the hex value of 0 or binary 0000)as shown in the most significant address bits to match 708 in FIG. 15A.

For example, FIG. 8 shows an exemplary explanatory table 800 of feedbackslot assignment in accordance with some embodiments. In this example, itis intended to match the first 4 bits (1111) and the next 4 bits in theaddress will indicate which feedback period of time to respond, suchthat when a response is detected, the irrigation control unit will learnthe first 8 bits of the responding device/s. To illustrate, at row 802,an irrigation device that has an address that falls in the address range0xF000_(hex) (1111 0000 0000 0000 in binary) through 0xF8FF_(hex) (11110000 1111 1111 in binary) may indicate a response by providing a “1” inthe bit 0 location of the feedback slots. The bit 0 location isdetermined by the irrigation device's address bits 0000 in bit locations11 through 8, which are the four additional bits after the four matchingbits (e.g., 1111).

To further illustrate, at row 804, an irrigation device that has anaddress that falls in the address range 0xF800_(hex) (1111 1000 00000000 in binary) through 0xF8FF_(hex) (1111 1000 1111 1111 in binary) mayindicate a response by providing a “1” in the bit 8 location of thefeed-back slots. The bit 8 location is determined by the irrigationdevice's address bits 1000 in bit locations 11 through 8, which are thefour additional bits after the four matching bits (e.g., 1111).

The 16 bit address space provides several options on how to partitionthe address space to automatically search for and/or detect theirrigation devices with matching addresses. In an illustrativenon-limiting examples, two of the several possible options are shown inFIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary process 900 forautomatic discovery (auto-discovery) of addresses of irrigation devicesin accordance with some embodiments. In the recursion step 1 (recursiondepth 0) of FIG. 9, the discovery message does not indicate any addressbits to match as indicated by a value of 0 under the column 902, and itprompts all devices connected to respond. In some embodiments, this isreferred to as an initial discovery message. As such, bits in the bitlocations [15 . . . 12] determine the feedback bit position as shown inthe column 904. In the recursion step 2 (recursion depth 1) of FIG. 9, anext discovery message 702 indicates that there are 4 number of bits tomatch, which are located in bit locations [15 . . . 12]. As such,address bits in the next 3 bit locations [11 . . . 9] determine the bitposition of the feedback period of time for response. As can be seen inthe exemplary process 900, the 16 bit address space may be initiallypartitioned by 4 bits (shown in recursion step 1, address bits [15 . . .12]), since 4 bits are needed to define 16 partitions. And since theremaining steps have 8 partitions, the address space can be subsequentlypartitioned by 3 bits (shown in recursion steps 2-5, address bits [11 .. . 9], [8 . . . 6], [5 . . . 3], and [2 . . . 0], respectively), since3 bits are needed to define 8 partitions. As recursion step 5 is reached(recursion depth 4), any responding device will have matched the mostsignificant 13 bits, and the feedback period of time used for feedbackwill indicate that last 3 bits of the address. At this point, the fulladdress of responding devices in recursion step 5 will be known.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary process 1000 for automatic discovery(auto-discovery) of addresses of irrigation devices in accordance withsome embodiments. FIG. 10 illustrates a wider search at each step,resulting in longer commands, but a smaller search depth. As can be seenin the exemplary process 1000, the 16 bit address space may be initiallypartitioned by 6 bits to define 64 partitions (shown in recursion step 1(recursion depth 0), address bits [15 . . . 10]), then partitioned byanother 6 bits defining 64 partitions (shown in recursion step 2(recursion depth 1), address bits [9 . . . 4]), and lastly partitionedby 4 bits defining 16 partitions (shown in recursion step 3 (recursiondepth 2), address bits [3 . . . 0]). Each recursion step shown in FIG.10 is illustrated in a flow diagram 1100 of an exemplary process ofautomatic discovery of addresses of irrigation devices in FIGS. 11A-11C.For example, FIG. 11A illustrates the recursion step 1 of FIG. 10.Similarly, FIG. 11B illustrates the recursion step 2 of FIG. 10.Moreover, FIG. 11C illustrates the recursion step 3 of FIG. 10. It isunderstood that other partitioning strategies are available, and thatthe optimal strategy may depend on the number of irrigation devices inthe field and how sparsely distributed they are in the address space.

To further illustrate, FIGS. 12A and 12B shows an exemplary automaticdiscovery of addresses of irrigation devices in accordance with someembodiments. In this example, the discovery messages (e.g., discoverymessages 702) are used to search an entire 16 bit address space forthree irrigation devices having addresses 0x0001, 0x0008, and 0x5000. Inan illustrative non-limiting example, pseudocode for an exemplary searchalgorithm for searching and detecting irrigation devices that may beexecuted by a control circuit to implement the exemplary auto-discoveryof addresses in FIGS. 12A and 12B are shown in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, thereturn value is an array of integers, one per feedback bit position,with a zero value indicating no feedback for that bit position, and anon-zero value indicating feedback was detected. In some embodiments,exemplary results of the search algorithm in FIG. 14 are a series ofdiscovery commands and feed-back as illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B. InFIGS. 12A and 12B, the partitioning strategy used is the wider search asdescribed in FIG. 10.

Referring back to FIGS. 12A and 12B, recall that in the first recursionstep 1 (recursion depth 0) 1201 using the wider search strategy, thereare no number of address bits to match 1202 and the address bitsdetermining the feedback bit location (or index) are address bitslocation 15 through 10. As such, for the irrigation devices withaddresses 0x0001 and 0x0008, their responses will be in 0 feedback slot1206 since they have a value of 0 in their corresponding address bitsdetermining the feedback bit location 1204. For the irrigation devicewith address 0x5000, its response is in the corresponding feedback slot1208.

In recursion step 2 (recursion depth 1) 1209, the discovery message nowseeks to indicate address bits to match, and in this case, it isintended to match the most significant 6 bits. Since the responses torecursion step 1 indicate at least one device responded in which thefirst 6 bits are 0, the value of the first 6 bits to match is defined as000000. And like recursion step 1, 64 partitions are used for feedbackposition defined by the next 8 bits. In this case, the irrigationdevices with addresses 0x0001 and 0x0008 respond in 0 feedback slot 1211since they have a value of 0 in their corresponding address bitsdetermining the feedback bit location 1205. At this point, there arestill multiple possible devices that could have responded in feedbackslot 1211 and a further iteration is needed to discover the completeaddresses. And since the device with address 0x5000 does not match thefirst 6 bits, it will not respond.

In recursion step 3 (recursion depth 2) 1210, since recursion step 2indicates the first 12 bits, the discovery message of this step signalsto match the most significant 12 bits, the value of which is 0000 00000000. The responding irrigation devices are 0x0001 and 0x0008 and not0x5000 since the bits to match in bit locations [15 . . . 4] are all 0s.Moreover, the response for irrigation device 0x0001 is in 1 feedbackslot 1214 since it has a value of 1 in its corresponding address bitsdetermining the feedback bit location [3 . . . 0] 1218. The response forirrigation device 0x0008 is in 8 feedback slot 1216 since it has a valueof 8 in its corresponding address bits determining the feedback bitlocation [3 . . . 0] 1220. At this point, the irrigation control unitdetermines the complete addresses of the two responding devices (0x0001and 0x0008).

What remains is to discover the device/s that responded in feedback slot1208 in recursion step 1 (recursion depth 0) 1201. Thus, a nextdiscovery message broadens its search relative to steps 1-3 (1201, 1209and 1210). In another example, in recursion step 4 (recursion depth 1)1212, the address bits to match are set to 0101 00, and the respondingirrigation device is 0x5000 and not 0x0001 nor 0x0008 since the bits tomatch in bit locations [15 . . . 10] are 010100. The response forirrigation device 0x5000 is in 0 feedback slot 1222 since it has a valueof 0 in its corresponding address bits determining the feedback bitlocation [9 . . . 4] 1224. At this point, there are still multiplepossible devices that could have responded in feedback slot 1222 and afurther iteration is needed to discover the complete addresses.

In recursion step 5 (recursion depth 2) 1221, since recursion step 4indicates the first 12 bits, the discovery message of this step signalsto match the most significant 12 bits, the value of which is 0101 00000000. The responding irrigation device is now only 0x5000 which respondsin 0 feedback slot 1223 since it has a value of 0 in its correspondingaddress bits determining the feedback bit location [3 . . . 0] 1225. Noother devices respond. Thus, the process is concluded since theirrigation control unit determines from the response and position thecomplete address of the last unknown device (0x5000).

In some embodiments, to further explain the “feedback slot” relative tothe “feed-back bit location”, let us revisit recursion step 3 (recursiondepth 2) 1210 of FIGS. 12A and 12B. As explained above, the response forirrigation device 0x0001 is in 1 feedback slot 1214. What this mean isthat the response “1” in 1214 is in bit 1 of the 16 bits shown under thecolumn “Feed-back Bits” with bit 0 of the 16 bits being the “0” to theright of “1” in 1214. Moreover, the response “1” of the irrigationdevice 0x0008 in 1216 is located in bit 8 of the 16 bits. Additionally,as explained above, the number of bits under the column “Feedback Bits”for the particular recursion step is based on the feedback slot count.

In some embodiments, variations of the discovery approaches may be used.The following examples provide some example variations.

In some embodiments, one or more irrigation devices (e.g., decoders,receivers, and so on) described herein are configured to respond to an“Are you there?” type command (e.g., an embodiment of discoverymessage). In an illustrative non-limiting example, a control circuit, acontroller, and/or a microcontroller described herein may step through apossible range of digital addresses, and ask “Are you there?” to eachdecoder address. For example, a discovery message is sent prompting aresponse if the device matches the requested address. If a response isreceived, this means that the device is connected and that the digitaladdress is remembered by the control circuit, the controller, and/or themicrocontroller. In some embodiments, once the control circuit, thecontroller, and/or the microcontroller has scanned all possible digitaladdresses and/or detected the maximum number of devices that the controlcircuit, the controller, and/or the microcontroller will support, thesearch is complete, and the list of remembered digital address matchesthe installed devices.

In some embodiments, one or more devices described herein are able torespond if their unique digital address is contained within a range ofaddresses. In an illustrative non-limiting example, the control circuit,the controller, and/or the microcontroller may send a command (e.g., anembodiment of discovery message) asking if any devices are present thathave a digital address between a low address and a high address. By oneapproach, all devices that match the address range criteria may respond.In some embodiments, more than one device may respond simultaneously andtheir responses may collide. In some embodiments, the devices mayrespond in a more orderly fashion to prevent data collisions, asillustrated in one or more embodiments above, or other known ways tostagger responses. In such embodiments, the control circuit, thecontroller, and/or the microcontroller may recognize that at least onedevice responded to the command and therefore knows that at least onedevice has a digital address within that range. The control circuit, thecontroller, and/or the microcontroller may then proceed with doing asearch to narrow down the exact address number of the device. In someembodiments, a binary search is used, whereby the earlier range is splitin half, a subsequent command is sent asking if a device is presentwithin the new lower range, followed by another command asking if adevice is present within the new upper range. In some embodiments, othertypes of searches are used to sweep through the total range ofaddresses, as illustrated in one or more embodiments described above. Byusing a search technique, the control circuit, the controller, and/orthe microcontroller may quickly determine the exact address of alldevices that were present in the original address range. The search maycontinue until the control circuit, the controller, and/or themicrocontroller has scanned all possible digital address ranges and/ordetected the maximum number of devices that the controller may support.

In some embodiments, one or more devices may be requested by the controlcircuit, the controller, and/or the microcontroller to activate itscorresponding solenoid and the control circuit, the controller, and/orthe microcontroller detects the additional current consumption thatoccurs when the valve is energized, as illustrated in one or moreembodiments described above. The control circuit, the controller, and/orthe microcontroller may step through the possible range of digitaladdresses, and send a command (e.g., an embodiment of discovery message)to each possible device address to activate the corresponding solenoid.If there is a match, instead of responding to the message as describedin some embodiments, the device activates it's connected solenoid. Thecontrol circuit, the controller, and/or the microcontroller may detect achange in current on the two-wire and/or the multi-wire interface andthus recognize when a device having a matching address with a solenoidattached is present. When this occurs, the corresponding digital addressmay be remembered by the control circuit, the controller, and/or themicrocontroller. In some embodiments, once the control circuit, thecontroller, and/or the microcontroller has scanned all possible digitaladdresses, and/or detected the maximum number of devices that thecontrol circuit, the controller, and/or the microcontroller may support,the search is complete, and the list of remembered digital addressmatches the installed devices.

In some embodiments, one or more devices described herein are able toactivate their solenoid if their unique digital address is containedwithin a range of addresses and the control circuit, the controller,and/or the microcontroller detects the additional current consumptionthat occurs when the valve is energized. In an illustrative non-limitingexample, the control circuit, the controller, and/or the microcontrollermay send a command (e.g., an embodiment of discovery message) so thatdevices with a digital address between a low address and a high addressactivate their solenoid. Instead of responding to the message asdescribed in some embodiments, all devices that match the address rangecriteria react by activating their solenoids. In some embodiments, morethan one device may act simultaneously and the current consumptioncaused by the solenoids may occur at the same time. In some embodiments,one or more decoders described herein may respond in a more orderlyfashion to prevent large current consumption, e.g., by delayingactivations an amount of time (e.g., which may be a function of one ormot bits of their address). In some embodiments, one or more devicesdescribed herein may only briefly activate the solenoid to reduce thetotal current draw on the two-wire path. In such embodiments, thecontrol circuit, the controller, and/or the microcontroller mayrecognize that at least one device acts based on the command andtherefore knows that at least one device has a digital address withinthat range. By one approach, the control circuit, the controller, and/orthe microcontroller may then proceed with doing a search to narrow downthe exact address number of the device. In some embodiments, a binarysearch is used, whereby the earlier range is split in half, a subsequentcommand is sent asking if a device is present within the new lowerrange, followed by another command asking if a device is present withinthe new upper range. In other embodiments, other types of searches areused to sweep through the total range of addresses. By using a searchtechnique, the control circuit, the controller, and/or themicrocontroller may quickly determine the exact address of all devicesthat were present in the original address range. The search may continueuntil the control circuit, the controller, and/or the microcontrollerhas scanned all possible digital address ranges, and/or detected themaximum number of devices that the control circuit, the controller,and/or the microcontroller may support. In some embodiments, one or moredevices described herein may only briefly activate the solenoid toreduce the total current draw on the two-wire path when they receive arange of address type command.

Assignment of Zones

Assigning irrigation devices to available zones (e.g., to zone orstation numbers) are described and illustrated in FIGS. 18A, 18B and 19.FIG. 18A shows an example user interface of an irrigation control unitin accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 18B illustrates an exemplaryprocess 1800 of automatic assignment of irrigation devices to zones inaccordance with some embodiments. FIG. 19 shows a flow diagram of anexemplary process 1900 of automatic assignment of irrigation devices inaccordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, an irrigation control unit for use with irrigationdevices connected to a multi-wire path 106 in an irrigation systemincludes a control circuit. In some embodiments, the irrigation controlunit may correspond to the computer 102 and/or the irrigation controlunit 104 of FIG. 1, the dedicated irrigation control unit 202 of FIG. 2,and/or the irrigation control units 318 and 322 of FIGS. 3A and 3B. Insome embodiments, the irrigation system may correspond to the centralcontrol-based irrigation system 100 of FIG. 1. The irrigation controlunit includes a control circuit that executes an application includingcomputer program code that perform one or more steps (Step 1902). Insome configurations, the computer program code may be stored in a memory(not shown). For example, the memory may include read only memory,random access memory, hard drives, solid-state drives, flash drives,and/or any storage data units and/or devices capable of storingelectronic data. By one approach, a reference to a control circuitdescribed herein may correspond to the control circuits 305 of FIGS. 3Aand 3B and/or one or more control circuits associated with the computer102 and/or the irrigation control unit 104 of FIG. 1, the dedicatedirrigation control unit 202, and/or irrigation control unit 318.

In some embodiments, the control circuit, via the execution of theapplication, obtains a listing of unique addresses not already assignedto irrigation zones (Step 1904). In some configurations, a listing ofunique addresses may be provided to the control circuit via one or moreof a local memory of the irrigation control unit and/or a memoryexternal to the irrigation control unit (e.g., a memory storage in acloud, a flash drives, and/or any external memory storage dataunit/devices that are capable of storing a listing of unique addressesassociated with irrigation devices). In some embodiments, the addressesin the listing of unique addresses may be obtained and/or determinedbased on execution of the automated device discovery process describedherein. In some embodiments, the addresses in the listing of uniqueaddresses are obtained using traditional methods of acquiring newaddresses, such as through manual entry and/or scanning of optical codesand/or reading of electronic labels of the devices. In someconfigurations, each unique address may correspond to a respective oneof irrigation devices connected to a multi-wire path 106 of anirrigation system. In some embodiments, the control circuit, via theexecution of the application, assigns each unique address of the listingof unique addresses sequentially to available irrigation zones (Step1908).

In some embodiments, the assignment of each unique address step includesassigning each unique address of the listing of unique addressessequentially to available irrigation zones starting with a lowest valueof the available irrigation zones assigned to a lowest value of thelisting of unique addresses. For example, in the example of FIGS. 12Aand 12B above, a listing of unassigned addresses 0x0008, 0x0001, and0x5000 could be assigned to the available zones 1, 2 and 3. For furtherexample, if zones 1, 2, and 3 were already assigned to addresses,unassigned addresses 0x0008, 0x0001, and 0x5000 could be assigned to theavailable zones 4, 5 and 6. In some embodiments, the assignment of eachunique address includes assigning each unique address of the listing ofunique addresses sequentially to available irrigation zones such that aunique address corresponding to a master valve is assigned a lowestnumber of the available irrigation zones. For example, a listing ofunassigned addresses 0x0008, 0x0001, and 0x5000 and including a mastervalve (MV) having address 0x1040 could be assigned such that MV address0x1040 is assigned to available zone 1 and unassigned addresses 0x0008,0x0001, and 0x5000 are assigned to available zones 2, 3 and 4. It isnoted that in some embodiments, sequential assignments can be inascending, descending or other order.

In some embodiments, the control circuit, via the execution of theapplication, sorts the listing of unique addresses not already assignedto the irrigation zones into an ordered listing of unique addresses(Step 1906). By one approach, the assign step may include assigning eachunique address of the ordered listing of unique addresses sequentiallyto available irrigation zones. For example, a listing of unassignedaddresses 0x0008, 0x0001, and 0x5000 could be first sorted into anordered listing of unassigned addresses 0x0001, 0x0008, and 0x5000,which then are assigned to the available zones 1, 2 and 3. It is notedthat Step 1906 is optional in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, available irrigation zones includes one or both of:one or more irrigation zones that have not yet been assigned to anyunique address and one or more lost irrigation zones that werepreviously assigned to a unique address of an irrigation device that isno longer connected to the multi-wire path 106. For example, if zones 1,2 and 3 have been assigned, but the address corresponding to zone 2 ismissing or not functioning properly such that it appears to bedisconnected, then three unassigned addresses could be assigned to zones2, 4 and 5.

In some embodiments, the one or more steps executed by the controlcircuit includes determining the listing of unique addresses not alreadyassigned to the irrigation zones. The one or more steps may includereceiving a listing of all unique addresses detected as being connectedto the multi-wire path 106 and/or removing unique addresses alreadyassigned to a respective irrigation zone from the listing of all uniqueaddresses resulting in the listing of unique addresses not alreadyassigned to the irrigation zones.

In some embodiments, the one or more steps executed by the controlcircuit includes outputting of control signals to cause a display of thelisting of unique addresses having been assigned to the availableirrigation zones via a display 1802 of an example user interface shownin FIG. 18A. Such a user interface would also include user input devices(not shown) to input data and/or to interact with the data displayed onthe display 1802. For example, the user input devices include buttons,dials, and/or switches, to name a few. In some configurations, theirrigation control unit includes a user interface that receives one ormore user inputs. In some embodiments, the assignments of irrigationdevices (e.g., decoders) to zones or station numbers is displayed on aportable user device (not shown), such as a smartphone, tablets,laptops, and/or the like, instead of through the display 1802.

FIG. 18B illustrates example user input devices and messages shown on adisplay of an example user interface. In some embodiments, the processof assigned addressed not already assigned to irrigation zones isautomated to simply the process and speed up programming. Inembodiments, when there are many devices that may connect to themulti-wire path and/or where the user interface of the irrigationcontroller is limited, this can result in significant time savings andreduction in error/s. In an exemplary practical application, aninstaller can arrange the irrigation devices in a desired order andinstall them in that order, then allow the irrigation control unit toautomatically assign those addresses to available zones sequentially. Inembodiments where the listing of addresses is sorted and ordered, theinstaller could choose to install devices in sequential address order sothat the zone assignments would sequentially match the installationorder.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 18B, the one or more stepsincludes receiving user input via a user interface including the display1802 (of FIG. 18A) and other inputs or buttons, e.g., notes “+”, “−”,left, and right arrow buttons. In some configurations, the user inputmay indicate to change an irrigation zone assignment of a firstirrigation zone assigned to a first unique address to a secondirrigation zone assigned to a second unique address. Alternatively or inaddition to, the one or more steps may include switching the irrigationzone assignment such that the first irrigation zone is assigned to thesecond unique address and the second irrigation zone is assigned to thefirst unique address.

In some embodiments, the one or more steps includes receiving user inputvia the user interface 1802. The user input may indicate to change anirrigation zone assignment of a first irrigation zone assigned to afirst unique address. In some embodiments, the user input indicatesremoving an irrigation zone assignment of a first irrigation zoneassigned to a first unique address, such that the first unique addressis not assigned to an irrigation zone. In some embodiments, anadditional user input may be received via the user interface 1802. Theadditional user input may indicate assignment of the first uniqueaddress to an available irrigation zone. In some embodiments, the userinterface 1802 is provided to allow changes to assignment of irrigationstations to unique addresses (Step 1910).

In some embodiments, the user interface 1802 receives a first user inputcausing the control circuit to execute the steps described herein. Forexample, the steps may include initiating execution of an automateddevice discovery process to detect all unique addresses of devicesconnected to the multi-wire path 106. In some embodiments, the listingof unique addresses not already assigned to irrigation zones matches alisting of all unique addresses detected as being connected to amulti-wire path 106 or is a subset of the listing of all uniqueaddresses detected as being connected to the multi-wire path 106.

In some embodiments, the execution of the automated device discoveryprocess causes a modulator to modulate data including iterations ofdiscovery messages on an output power signal such as described herein inother embodiments. Each discovery message may indicate a respectiveportion of an address to match and prompt a response from one or more ofthe irrigation devices in which a corresponding portion of the uniqueaddress matches the respective portion of the address to match. Theresponses to each iteration of the discovery message may result in amodification of the respective portion of the address to match forsubsequent discovery messages. The automated device discovery process ofsome embodiments may end when a complete unique address is matched foreach of the irrigation devices connected to the multi-wire path.

In some embodiments, the irrigation control unit may include a panelhaving a user interface with a display 1802 and that receives one ormore user inputs, e.g., via buttons, switches, dials, and so on. In someembodiments, the assignment of decoders may be performed on a portableuser device (not shown), such as a smartphone, tablets, laptops, and/orthe like. For example, the user interface can be implemented in part orin while using a mobile application being executed by a mobileelectronic device directly or indirectly connected to the irrigationcontrol unit (e.g., similar to the mobile application 210 being executedby the mobile electronic device 212 shown in FIG. 2.) In the exemplaryprocess 1800, at step 1804, the irrigation control unit 318 may scanaddresses of irrigation devices that are connected and/or coupled to themulti-wire path 106. At step 1804, the irrigation control unit 318 mayautomatically assigns addresses to available station numbers. At step1806, during the scan, the irrigation control unit 318 receivesresponses from coupled irrigation devices and based on the responses,determines whether station numbers are available or not. At step 1808,the irrigation control unit 318 may prompt a user to provide one or moreuser inputs that causes assignment of decoders to available stationnumbers. In some embodiments, at 1908, the irrigation control unitreceives a user input that causes the irrigation control unit 318 toswap zones or station number assignments between irrigation devicesand/or addresses. FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary process 2000 ofswapping zone number assignments between irrigation devices (receivers)and/or addresses in accordance with some embodiments. For example, thezones automatically assigned to the addresses of receivers 2002 and 2004(having addresses 1486 and 2596) are swapped. In another example, thezones between receivers 2004 and 2006 (having addresses 2354 and 2596)are then subsequently swapped.

In some embodiments, at step 1804, in response to scanning addresses ofirrigation devices, the irrigation control unit 318 automaticallyassigns addresses to the lowest never assigned station number. Theirrigation control unit 318 may assign addresses in ascending order,with the master valve (if used) getting the lowest address. In someembodiments, if there are zero never-used station numbers and zeroabandoned (lost) station numbers, then new addresses will not getassigned. In some embodiments, if there are no never-used stationnumbers, but there are lost station numbers, then new addresses will beassigned to the lowest lost station number. In some embodiments, theirrigation control unit 318 displays up to 10 more than the max allowedaddress (for example, 50 or 51 depending on master valve used or not),but displays the station number for these as “--”. In some embodiments,the irrigation control unit 318 reports the total addresses found, whichincludes the 10 over the limit, but excludes any that are assigned tostations but not found by the scan.

In some embodiments, at step 1806, the irrigation control unit 318continues scanning for addresses of irrigation devices that areconnected and/or coupled to the multi-wire path 106 until a user inputvia the user interface is received. For example, the user may press onthe “--> or “+” inputs or buttons. At step 1806, for example, thestations that have addresses and that responded are found. In anotherexample, the stations that have assigned addresses and do not respondare not found. In yet another example, if new addresses are found, thestations are assigned to the highest never assigned station.

In some embodiments, at step 1808, for addresses that are found, stationnumber (or MV) will flash in a slow pattern and the address will besolid. In some embodiments, if an assigned station's address is notfound, then the station number will remain solid and the address willrapidly alternate between the address value and “LOST”. In someembodiments, a user may use “<-” and “->” to cycle through theaddresses. In some embodiments, a user may use “+/−” to edit the stationnumber. In some embodiments, the address numbers themselves may not beedited. In some embodiments, when a station number is edited, theirrigation control unit 318 will swap the address to another stationnumber. In some embodiments, the address swap will not occur until theuser does one of the following: press the Next button, press the Backbutton, or turn the dial button. In some embodiments, swapping includesswapping of blank addresses, swapping of lost addresses, and/or swappingof “--” addresses, which are address over the 50 station limit. By oneapproach, swapping may wrap around 1 to 50 (or the highest “--”address).

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary process 2100 of locking a set of zoneassignments with a set of irrigation devices once they are automaticallyassigned in accordance with some em- bodiments. In a first installation2102, 6 devices are installed and these addresses are automaticallyassigned to available zones 1-6. The installer then reassigns the zonesassigned to addresses 1486, 2354, and 2596 as shown in FIG. 16. At alater point in time, during a second installation 2104, 6 additionaldevices are installed and connected to the multi-wire path. Whether anautomatic discovery process is executed or the new addresses areotherwise provided, the addresses of devices already assigned to zonesis locked, and new automatic assignment of addresses to zones appliesonly to the newly installed addresses. That is, the assignments of thelocked devices is not disturbed with the new installation 2104. Andlikewise, during a third installation 2106, 5 additional devices areinstalled and connected to the multi-wire path. The addresses of the 12devices already assigned to zones is locked, and new automaticassignment of addresses to zones applies only to the newly installed 5addresses.

In some embodiments, at step 1810, the irrigation control unit mayreceive a user input that causes the irrigation control unit to providea fixed current over the multi-wire path 106 in order for a user tosearch for short along the multi-wire path 106. For example, the usermay use a clamp meter on the multi-wire path 106 and/or splices tosearch for a short.

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary system 2200 that may be used forimplementing any of the components, circuits, circuitry, systems,functionality, apparatuses, processes, or devices of the computer (e.g.,the computer 102), irrigation control units (e.g., irrigation controlunits 104, 202, 318 and 320, and/or other above or below mentionedsystems or devices, or parts of such circuits, circuitry, functionality,systems, apparatuses, processes, or devices.

By way of example, the system 2200 may comprise a control circuit 2212or processor/microcontroller module, memory 2214, and one or morecommunication links, paths, buses or the like 2218. While memory 2214 isillustrated as separate from the control circuit 2212, in someembodiments, some or all of the memory 2214 in integral with the controlcircuit 2212. Some embodiments may include one or more user interfaces2216, and/or one or more internal and/or external power sources orsupplies 2240. The control circuit 2212 can be implemented through oneor more processors, microprocessors, central processing unit, logic,local digital storage, firmware, software, and/or other control hardwareand/or software, and may be used to execute or assist in executing thesteps of the processes, methods, functionality and techniques describedherein, and control various communications, decisions, programs,content, listings, services, interfaces, logging, reporting, etc.Further, in some embodiments, the control circuit 2212 can be part ofcontrol circuitry and/or a control system 2210, which may be implementedthrough one or more processors with access to one or more memory 2214that can store instructions, code and the like that is implemented bythe control circuit and/or processors to implement intendedfunctionality. In some applications, the control circuit and/or memorymay be distributed over a communications network (e.g., LAN, WAN,Internet) providing distributed and/or redundant processing andfunctionality. Again, the system 2200 may be used to implement one ormore of the above or below, or parts of, components, circuits, systems,processes and the like.

Some embodiments include a user interface 2216 can allow a user tointeract with the system 2200 and receive information through thesystem. In some instances, the user interface 2216 includes a display2222 and/or one or more user inputs 2224, such as buttons, touch screen,track ball, keyboard, mouse, etc., which can be part of or wired orwirelessly coupled with the system 2200. Typically, the system 2200further includes one or more communication interfaces, ports,transceivers 2220 and the like allowing the system 2200 to communicateover a communication bus, a distributed computer and/or communicationnetwork (e.g., a local area network (LAN), the Internet, wide areanetwork (WAN), etc.), communication link 2218, other networks orcommunication channels with other devices and/or other suchcommunications or combination of two or more of such communicationmethods. Further the transceiver 2220 can be configured for wired,wireless, optical, fiber optical cable, satellite, or other suchcommunication configurations or combinations of two or more of suchcommunications. Some embodiments include one or more input/output (I/O)ports 2234 that allow one or more devices to couple with the system2200. The I/O ports can be substantially any relevant port orcombinations of ports, such as but not limited to USB, Ethernet, orother such ports. The I/O interface 2234 can be configured to allowwired and/or wireless communication coupling to external components. Forexample, the I/O interface can provide wired communication and/orwireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, RF, and/orother such wireless communication), and in some instances may includeany known wired and/or wireless interfacing device, circuit and/orconnecting device, such as but not limited to one or more transmitters,receivers, transceivers, or combination of two or more of such devices.

The system 2200 comprises an example of a control and/or processor-basedsystem with the control circuit 2212. Again, the control circuit 2212can be implemented through one or more processors, controllers, centralprocessing units, logic, software and the like. Further, in someimplementations the control circuit 2212 may provide multiprocessorfunctionality.

The memory 2214, which can be accessed by the control circuit 2212,typically includes one or more processor-readable and/orcomputer-readable media accessed by at least the control circuit 2212,and can include volatile and/or nonvolatile media, such as RAM, ROM,EEPROM, flash memory and/or other memory technology. Further, the memory2214 is shown as internal to the control system 2210; however, thememory 2214 can be internal, external or a combination of internal andexternal memory. Similarly, some or all of the memory 2214 can beinternal, external or a combination of internal and external memory ofthe control circuit 2212. The external memory can be substantially anyrelevant memory such as, but not limited to, solid-state storage devicesor drives, hard drive, one or more of universal serial bus (USB) stickor drive, flash memory secure digital (SD) card, other memory cards, andother such memory or combinations of two or more of such memory, andsome or all of the memory may be distributed at multiple locations overthe computer network. The memory 2214 can store code, software,executables, scripts, data, content, lists, programming, programs, logor history data, user information, customer information, productinformation, and the like. While FIG. 22 illustrates the variouscomponents being coupled together via a bus, it is understood that thevarious components may actually be coupled to the control circuit and/orone or more other components directly.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of othermodifications, alterations, and combinations can also be made withrespect to the above described embodiments without departing from thescope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, andcombinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventiveconcept.

What is claimed is:
 1. An irrigation control unit for use withirrigation devices connected to a multi-wire path in an irrigationsystem comprising: a modulator configured to provide an output powersignal modulated with data; a multi-wire interface coupled to themodulator and configured to electrically couple to the multi-wire pathextending into a landscape and to which the irrigation devices areconnected, the irrigation devices each having a unique address andconfigured to derive operational power from the output power signal anddemodulate the data; and a control circuit coupled to the modulator andconfigured to execute an automated device discovery process configuredto: cause the modulator to modulate data comprising a discovery messageon the output power signal, the discovery message indicating a portionof an address to match and prompting a response from one or more of theirrigation devices in which a corresponding portion of the uniqueaddress matches the portion of the address to match.
 2. The irrigationcontrol unit of claim 1, wherein the discovery message comprises a firstdata portion and a second data portion, wherein the first data portioncorresponds to the portion of the address to match and the second dataportion corresponds to feedback periods of time for each of the one ormore of the irrigation devices to respond.
 3. The irrigation controlunit of claim 2, wherein a feedback period of time for use by each ofthe one or more of the irrigation devices depends on an additionalportion of the unique address of each of the one or more of theirrigation devices.
 4. The irrigation control unit of claim 2, whereinthe first data portion defines a first set of address bits to match anda position of the first set of address bits in the address, and whereinthe second data portion defines a set of feedback periods of time, eachfeedback period of time corresponding to a second set of address bitsand a position of the second set of address bits in the address.
 5. Theirrigation control unit of claim 4, wherein when a given irrigationdevice responds to the discovery message during a given feedback periodof time, the response indicates that the given irrigation device matchesthe first set of address bits and indicates the second set of addressbits of the given irrigation device.
 6. The irrigation control unit ofclaim 2, wherein the first data portion defines a number of address bitsto match.
 7. The irrigation control unit of claim 1, wherein thediscovery message is encoded onto the output power signal.
 8. Theirrigation control unit of claim 7, wherein a synchronization preambleand error detection bits are encoded with the discovery message onto theoutput power signal.
 9. The irrigation control unit of claim 1, whereinthe discovery message comprises: a data portion defining a number ofaddress bits in the portion of the address to match and defining a valueof the address bits of the portion of the address to match.
 10. Theirrigation control unit of claim 9, wherein the discovery messagefurther comprises a feedback portion defining a number of feedbackperiods of time for the irrigation devices matching the portion of theaddress to respond.
 11. The irrigation control unit of claim 1, wherein,subsequent to a transmission of the modulated data, the control circuitis further configured to cause the modulator to provide over themulti-wire path one or more first idle signals corresponding to afeedback period of time the control circuit has allocated to receive theresponse from the one or more of the irrigation devices.
 12. Theirrigation control unit of claim 11, wherein, subsequent to thetransmission of the one or more first idle signals, the control circuitis further configured to cause the modulator to provide over themulti-wire path at least one synchronization signal for the irrigationdevices.
 13. The irrigation control unit of claim 1, wherein theautomated device discovery process executed by the control circuit isconfigured to: detect one or more responses from the one or more of theirrigation devices in which the corresponding portion of the uniqueaddress matches the portion of the address to match; determine, based onthe detected one or more responses, a next portion of the address tomatch; and cause the modulator to modulate data comprising a nextdiscovery message on the output power signal, the next discovery messageindicating the next portion of the address to match and prompting a nextresponse from at least one of the one or more of the irrigation devicesin which a corresponding portion of the unique address matches the nextportion of the address to match.
 14. The irrigation control unit ofclaim 13, wherein the next portion of the address to match comprises oneof: the portion of the address to match having been matched togetherwith another portion of the address to match, such that a narrower rangeof addresses is targeted by the next discovery message; and anotherportion of the address to match, such that a broader range of addressesis targeted by the next discovery message.
 15. The irrigation controlunit of claim 1 wherein the automated device discovery process executedby the control circuit is configured to: cause the modulator to modulatedata comprising idle portions on the output power signal subsequent tothe discovery message, the idle portions corresponding to feedbackperiods of time for the irrigation devices to respond; and detect one ormore responses from the one or more of the irrigation devices in one ormore of the feedback periods of time, wherein the one or more responsesindicate a presence of irrigation devices on the multi-wire path havingunique addresses matching the portion of the address to match.
 16. Theirrigation control unit of claim 15, wherein any irrigation devicehaving a unique address matching the portion of the address to match isconfigured to respond during a given one of the feedback periods of timeby drawing current from the multi-wire path during the given one of thefeedback periods of time, and wherein the automated device discoveryprocess executed by the control circuit is configured to: detect currentdrawn during the given one of the feedback periods of time and interpretthe current drawn as a response from an irrigation device having aunique address matching the portion of the address to match.
 17. Theirrigation control unit of claim 1, wherein the automated devicediscovery process executed by the control circuit is configured to:determine that no responses are provided by any of the irrigationdevices in response to the discovery message; determine a next portionof the address to match; and cause the modulator to modulate datacomprising a next discovery message on the output power signal, the nextdiscovery message indicating the next portion of the address to matchand prompting a response from at least one of the one or more of theirrigation devices in which a corresponding portion of the uniqueaddress matches the next portion of the address to match.
 18. Theirrigation control unit of claim 1, wherein the automated devicediscovery process executed by the control circuit is configured to causethe modulator to modulate data comprising an initial discovery messageon the output power signal to be provided prior to the discoverymessage, the initial discovery message prompting a response from each ofthe irrigation devices connected to the multi-wire path.
 19. Theirrigation control unit of claim 18, wherein the initial discoverymessage prompting the response from each of the irrigation devicesconnected to the multi-wire path in a respective one of a plurality offeedback periods of time.
 20. The irrigation control unit of claim 1,wherein the automated device discovery process ends when a completeaddress is matched for each of the one or more of the irrigation devicesconnected to the multi-wire path after multiple iterations of thediscovery message being sent, each iteration indicating a respectiveportion of the address to match and prompting a respective response fromthe irrigation devices in which a corresponding portion of the uniqueaddress matches the respective portion of the address to match.
 21. Anirrigation control unit for use with irrigation devices connected to amulti-wire path in an irrigation system comprising: a modulatorconfigured to provide an output power signal modulated with data; amulti-wire interface coupled to the modulator and configured toelectrically couple to the multi-wire path extending into a landscapeand to which the irrigation devices are connected, the irrigationdevices each having a unique address and configured to deriveoperational power from the output power signal and demodulate the data;and a control circuit coupled to the modulator and configured to executean automated device discovery process configured to: cause the modulatorto modulate data comprising iterations of discovery messages on theoutput power signal, the discovery messages each indicating a respectiveportion of an address to match and prompting a response from one or moreof the irrigation devices in which a corresponding portion of the uniqueaddress matches the respective portion of the address to match, andwherein responses to each iteration of the discovery message result in amodification of the respective portion of the address to match forsubsequent discovery messages.
 22. The irrigation control unit of claim21, wherein the response from one or more of the irrigation devicesindicates that the corresponding portion of the unique address matchesthe respective portion of the address to match.
 23. The irrigationcontrol unit of claim 21, wherein the discovery process response fromthe one or more of the irrigation devices occurs in a respective periodof time corresponding to an additional portion of the unique address ofthe one or more of the irrigation devices.
 24. The irrigation controlunit of claim 23, wherein the response from the one or more of theirrigation devices indicates that the corresponding portion of theunique address matches the respective portion of the address to matchand indicates the additional portion of the unique address of the one ormore of the irrigation devices.
 25. The irrigation control unit of claim21, wherein the automated device discovery process ends when a completeaddress is matched for each of the one or more of the irrigation devicesconnected to the multi-wire path.
 26. The irrigation control unit ofclaim 21, wherein the automated device discovery process executed by thecontrol circuit is configured to cause the modulator to modulate datacomprising an initial discovery message on the output power signal to beprovided prior to the discovery message, the initial discovery messageprompting a response from each of the irrigation devices connected tothe multi-wire path.
 27. A method for use with irrigation devicesconnected to a multi-wire path in an irrigation system comprising:providing, by a modulator of the irrigation system, an output powersignal modulated with data; executing, by a control circuit of anirrigation control unit, an automated device discovery process to causethe modulator to modulate data comprising a discovery message on theoutput power signal, the discovery message indicating a portion of anaddress to match and prompting a response from one or more of theirrigation devices in which a corresponding portion of the addressmatches the portion of the address to match; and providing, by thecontrol circuit via a multi-wire interface, the modulated data over themulti-wire path that extends into a landscape and to which theirrigation devices are connected, the irrigation devices each having aunique address and configured to derive operational power from theoutput power signal and demodulate the data.